Commuting - Cleaning my chain?

Bikeforums.net is a forum about nothing but bikes. Our community can help you find information about hard-to-find and localized information like bicycle tours, specialties like where in your area to have your recumbent bike serviced, or what are the best bicycle tires and seats for the activities you use your bike for.



PDA

View Full Version : Cleaning my chain?

nikos
04-17-02, 10:41 AM
My shifting appears to be sticky, might be time to clean my chain. Whats the best way of cleaning without spinning oil and dirt all over the bike while spinning the crank. Also, what is a good lube for after the cleaning. thanks guys and gals

stumpjumper
04-17-02, 11:43 AM
I'd recomend removing the chain from the bike, dropping it in a sealed container with some degreaser and shake like hell. If you must do it on the bike,. you will mage at least some of a mess. Use a chain cleaning tool like those made by Park, and dont spin the crank too fast.

as far as lube goes, I like teflon-impregnated wax every so often. I also tend to use Phil Wood oil when I know things will get wet and muddy. Many folks swear by White Lightning.
Rich Clark
04-17-02, 12:19 PM
I've been using ProLink both to clean and lube my chain this past year, on a new bike I bought in June, with pleasant results. Chain has 3000+ miles on it, with no measurable wear (still less than 1/16" of "stretch" in a foot of chain). Ultegra chain, FD, and crankset; XTR RD; XT 11-32 cassette.

I apply a drop to each roller, and let it sit to penetrate. Wipe it clean with a terry shop cloth. Apply another drop to each roller and wipe lightly. There only needs to be lube inside the chain.

I do this every couple of hundred miles. We'll see how it goes.

RichC